JOHNSON – The Johnson-Brock football team had their 2017 season cut short when they lost to Howells-Dodge on the road, 54-42, in the Class D1 quarterfinals. The Eagles played most of the game without their starting quarterback Cole Fossenbarger, who left the contest due to an injury.

Fast forward to this year.

Johnson-Brock, now playing in Class D2, is hungry and focused on going further in the postseason with their leader healthy at quarterback.

Fossenbarger has been the Eagles starting QB since 2016. He has thrown for 3,770 career yards with 55 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He has rushed for another 702 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Third-year head coach Mitch Roberts says Fossenbarger has built the trust of the coaching staff and has the freedom to check-out of plays and call audibles on his own.

“He can read a defense. He knows what goes on and who he wants to get the ball to, pre-snap. That’s huge for our team to put us in the right situations and to make adjustments on the fly. That’s something you really have to put the trust in him. He makes big plays. He knows where certain players are and always seems to find the right guy.”

The 5’11”, 140 pound senior has 403 passing yards and 9 touchdowns in two games this season. His top target has been junior Ty Hahn, who has caught 10 passes for 184 yards and 4 touchdowns.

According to Roberts, there is no quarterback controversy between Cole and his younger brother, freshman Caleb.

“Not currently. Caleb has played really well for us, but not quite yet. No.”

Caleb Fossenbarger has rushed for a score and caught a touchdown this season. He is listed as the backup quarterback on the Eagles depth chart.

The Fossenbarger’s and Johnson-Brock (2-0), ranked #3 in the latest Class D2 rankings, host #8 Lawrence-Nelson (1-1) on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will air on Today’s Best Country, B103 (103.1 FM, b103.fm).